Series synopsis
Gaialand is a documentary television series that premiered on ARTE on September 12, 2022. It ended on September 12, 2022. It was created by Yvonne Debeaumarché, Tristan Benoit, Hannu Kontturi.
In the Paris of the 80's, a group of young idealists, sensing an ecological catastrophe to come, want to show that another world is possible. Guided by a mysterious Amerindian shaman, they practice veganism, set up organic stores and live in teepees in the middle of buildings. Quickly accused by their families and the press of being manipulated, they start a long ecological march through Europe. A chase begins between the members of this community and those who accuse them of being under their c ...
Premise
In the Paris of the 80's, a group of young idealists, sensing an ecological catastrophe to come, want to show that another world is possible. Guided by a mysterious Amerindian shaman, they practice veganism, set up organic stores and live in teepees in the middle of buildings. Quickly accused by their families and the press of being manipulated, they start a long ecological march through Europe. A chase begins between the members of this community and those who accuse them of being under their control. After 10 years of wandering, the "Tribe" finally settles in Finland, in the extreme conditions of the Great North, to live its Utopia of a tribal life in harmony with nature: how far are they willing to save "Gaïaland"? Thanks to unique archives and rare testimonies of former followers, the "Gaïaland" series dives into the fascinating true story of this community and its demons.
Premise: A tribe under influence
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 4 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | September 12, 2022 | September 12, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Utopia 1991, Ilpo, a young Finn who is depressed by the severe economic crisis in his country, meets a vegan 'Tribe' who lives in tepees. He meets their guide, an enigmatic shaman who asks him for help in building their Gaïaland, an ecological utopia. These 'Amerindians' are actually French, Belgian, Italian... They are young forerunners of the ecological cause who met ten years earlier in Paris. At the time, their teepees and way of life stood out in the urban landscape and aroused suspicion. |
September 12, 2022 |
| 2 |
Confrontation 1984. After experimenting with an alternative way of life in Paris, the 'Tribe' embarks on a grand project: a journey around the world to rediscover nomadic life and sensitize the world to the ecological cause. But soon family and press say that the members of the group are being manipulated. Their 'guide', Norman William, is holed up in Belgium and tries to fund their activities, while he is under investigation. The ambiguity of his intentions soon becomes apparent, as do his different faces. |
September 12, 2022 |
| 3 |
Mirage 1991, the members of the 'Tribe' are exhausted after ten years of traveling through Europe. They meet Ilpo who helps them settle in Finland. Despite the Finns' warnings, Norman William decides to set up camp at the Arctic Circle. The 'Tribe' wants to prove that their way of life is possible even in extreme weather conditions. But when the temperatures drop to -50 ° C, the doubts grow among the followers. They have to push themselves to their limits, both physically and mentally. Heavy clouds gather over the group and their utopia when tragedy strikes the camp. |
September 12, 2022 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ARTE |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 12, 2022 |
| Last aired | September 12, 2022 |
| Status | ended |